Bed attachment.



PATENTED MAR. 29, 1904.

E. E. ROBERTSON.

BED ATTACHMENT.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 29. 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

NO MODEL.

No. 755,699. PATENTED MAR. 29, 1904.

E. E. ROBERTSON.

BED ATTACHMENT. APPLIUATIOK 21pm) AUG. ze. 1903.

N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. I755,699.

UNITED STATES Patented Meren 29, 1904.

ELISA E. ROBERTSON, OF NEW'YORK, N. Y.

l BED ATTACHMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming peut ef Letters Patent No. 755,699, dated March 29, 1904.

Application filed August 29, 1903. Serial No. 171,266. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELIsA E. ROBERTSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Bed Attachments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to bed attachments, and more particularly to an auxiliary rail which extends partially over the ordinary bedrail and is readily applicable to any form of bed-rail now in use.

The primary object of the improved device is to provide a bed-rail attachment of simple and eifective form adapted to hold bedclothing elevated above the occupant of the bed and relieve the weight of bedclothes from the body without detracting in the, least from the necessary protection from cold or drafts, particularly in cases of sickness or when patients must necessarily be shielded, and thereby materially reduces restlessness and discomfort due to the pressure or contact of bedclothes with the body of an occupant of a bed, as well as obviate the inconvenience and annoyance of bedclothing saturated with perspiration in close contact with a patient or other person.

A further object of the invention is to provide' an auxiliary rail or attachment having means for reliably holding bedclothes or other coverings over the body of a person in reclining position in a reliable and positive manner to permit a person to freely turn or change position under the cover without engagement with the latter.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an auxiliary attachment for a bed-rail for supporting bedclothes or other coverings having in connection therewith means for supporting a tray which is capable of adjustment at an angle of inclination for use as a support for books and other reading matter.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bed, showing the improved auxiliary rail attachments applied thereto and arranged in operative position.` Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a bed, showing the auxiliary rail attachment therein in erect position and lowered in dotted position. Fig. 3 is a top plan viewof a bed, showing the improved auxiliary rail attachments thereon having a tray or support connected thereto and arranged for receiving receptacles or means for holding food and other substances. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a bed with the improved auxiliary rail attachments thereon and the tray disposed at an angle of inclination for reading purposes. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of one of the clamps and a portion of one of the uprights used in connection with the auxiliary rail attachment. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of one of the handles of the tray, which is primarily secured to one of the auxiliary -rail attachments, illustrating the means for propping the same at an angle of inclination.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The numeral 1 designates a bedstead, which in the present instance is shown of the ordinary metal type and having opposite side rails 2. While the improved bed attachment has been shown applied to a particular form of bed, it will be understood that it may be used with any device of this class having side rails. The attachment consists of uprights 3, movably connected to the outer portions of the tops of clamps 4t, of such dimensions as to fit over the rails 2 and having set or clamping screws 5 in the bottoms to bear against the under edges of the said rails2. The uprights 3 have terminal sleeves 6 disposed at right angles thereto to receive a bar 7, which isy bent downwardly at its ends to give it a pleasing coniiguration and avoid wear on and injury to the bed clothing or covering devices that arearranged thereover. The auxiliary rail attachment as thus far described is adapted to be applied to the opposite rails 2, as shown by Fig. l, and when in use the uprights are elevated above-the rails 2. When it is desired to arrange the mattress or other coverings that are usually disposed, in con- Y tiguity to a mattress or when it is desired to TOO have the auxiliary attachments in position of disuse, the uprights 3, carrying the bars 7, are turned downwardly, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2.

The auxiliary rail attachments are provided with means for holding the covering in connection therewith and also for supporting food and reading matter. The means for holding the covers in connection with the bars 7 consist of resilient clamps 8, which are pressed over the bars 7 after the covering is applied, and when the coveringis secured by the clamps the attachments at opposite sides will be reliably held in upright position above the rails 2 and at the same 'time the covering will be held elevated above the occupant of the bed. rl`he means for holding food and reading matter consists of a rectangular tray 9, as shown by Figs. 3 and 4, formed of suitable material and having semieylindrical handles 10 adjustably attached to the opposite ends thereof by means of apertured straps 11, a pin 12 being loosely held in connection with each handle and insertible through the tray and one of the openings in the strap 11. By having the straps 11 formed with a plurality of openings the tray may be conveniently applied to beds of diiferent widths and also otherwise adjusted to accommodate the position of the patient, especiallyY when the tray is attached to the bars 7, as it will be at times when the covering is disposed as` in the ordinary mode of application over the bed. It will be understood, however, that the tray may be attached to the bars 7 after the covering has been clamped on said bars. Each handle 10 is also provided with a prop 13, movably attached to the inner side thereof near one end, as clearly shown by Fig. 6, a set or clamping screw 14 being held in one member of the prop to bear against the outer portions of the bars 7. The free end of the prop 13 is formed with a curved seat 15 to embrace the upper portion of the bar 7, and when the handles are both elevated the tray 9 will be similarly inclined, as may be desired, to support reading matter in proximity to the occupant of the bed. Aside from the uses of the tray 9, just explained, it will be understood that it may be employed for other purposes, and it is also intended that the uprights carrying the bars 7 be shifted over the rails 2 to or from the head of the bedstead, as may be found nec- At any essary to arrive at the result sought.

time desired the auxiliary rail attachment may be disconnected from the rails 2, and one set of the attachments may be employed on different bedsteads.

It is proposed to form the attachments of durable material and ornament then by plating or burnishing. In someinstances the attachments may be made to correspond in finish to the parts of the bedstead on which they are used.

As before indicated, the attachments will be found exceptionally useful in holding bed clothes or coverings elevated above the body of the patient or occupant of a bed, not only to relieve the body of the weight of bed-coverings, but permit unlimited movement, due to restlessness, without disarranging the covering. Furthermore, the covering when held elevated by the improved attachments will not become wet or moist with perspiration from the body of the occupant of the bed.

To accommodate di'erent applications, changes in the proportions, dimensions, and minor details may be resorted to without in the least departing from the spirit of the in- Vention.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as newrisM 1. An attachment for a bedstead for holding bed-coverings elevated, consisting of uprights. supporting-bars connected to the uprights and having depending curved terminals, removable clamps to which the lower ends of the uprights are hinged to permit said uprights to be lowered in an outward direction relative to a bed, and fastening-clips removably applied to the supporting-bars.

2. An attachment for a bedstead for the purpose set forth, consisting of clamps for removable application to a bed-rail, uprights hinged to the upper ends of the clamps near the outer sides of the latter, bars held on the upper ends of the uprights and having depending curved terminals extending outwardly beyond the uprights to increase the length of the attachment, and clips removably applied to the bars.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ELISA E. ROBERTSON.

Witnesses:

RICHARD GoDwIN, Jnssn L. APPELGATE.

IOO 

